Grants:

Tennessee Customized Employment Partnership                  

The Alliance for Business and Training received a Tennessee Customized Employment Partnership Grant in July 2004 to create a Customized Employment Hub at the Northeast Tennessee Career Center in Johnson City, Tennessee. The Northeast Tennessee Customized Employment Partnership enrolls individuals with significant disabilities and works with these individuals to help them secure permanent full time employment.

Families First Program 

Families First is Tennessee's goal-oriented welfare reform program focused on the values of education and work as a means to economic independence for families receiving public assistance. Integrated into the Northeast Tennessee Career Center System, Families First staff work with clients to develop an individualized Personal Responsibility Plan which outlines personal and employment related goals and timelines, as well as performance expectations for measuring success in the workplace.    

Based upon detailed assessments, customers identify and match their aptitudes and abilities to occupational clusters which provide the best opportunity for employment in a career path with increased earning potential. Families First services include job development and/or customized training aimed at career planning, job search skills, resume writing, interviewing competencies, skills training, adult education and post-secondary education.  Each component is targeted toward the individual client's Plan to attain the skills and work ethics required by area employers.

Freedom to Work Initiative  

The Northeast Tennessee Workforce Investment Board received a 2-year US Department of Labor Employment & Training Administrative Work Incentive Grant, designated Freedom to Work, in 2003. Since its implementation, Freedom to Work has addressed barriers to systemic and programmatic access to Career Center services for individuals with disabilities.

Freedom to Work Initiative has established an Advisory Commission, staff positions "Network Specialists", training for Career Center staff, assistive technology equipment and workstations, plus marketing to residents and employers through the Career Center system. The Freedom to Work Initiative's website www.freedomtowork.org has been awarded the United States Department of Labor Employment & Training Administration Region III (Atlanta) "Best Practice" honors.

H-1B 

 The H-1B Grant has several goals with the intent of enhancing the LWIA 1 workforce. These goals include: participant attainment of industry recognized and demanded credentials; the increased retention of employees as employers gain a competitive edge: the hiring of unemployed workers who will be trained to meet industry specific standards and performance within their new job; and the reduced dependency on foreign labor.

The Northeast Tennessee H-1B process and paperwork have been regarded as a United States Department of Labor Employment & Training Administration "Best Practice" and is used as a model for other grant recipients.

National Emergency Grant

The Alliance for Business and Training, administrative entity of the Northeast Tennessee Workforce Investment Board, received a project grant award for funds under the National Emergency Grant (NEG) in August 2003. The purpose of the award was to provide training and associated administrative costs to address the needs of eligible dislocated workers.

Northeast Tennessee Workforce Investment Board is an administrative entity financially assisted by WIA Title I and an equal opportunity employer and provider of employment and training programs. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities and/or limited English proficiency.  TDD: 423-547-7511 or       423-610-0134